Lee Sullivans first Doctor Who Strip for DWO - Featured all Seven Incarnations of the Timelord.

By Ian M. Cullen

One thing I’ve been trying to do of late with SciFi Pulse is split the coverage between television and comics - and perhaps do a few more interviews with people from the world of comics. With this in mind I took it upon myself to approach Lee Sullivan - who is best known in the UK for his work on Doctor Who Magazine, among many other things.

Lee has been working in comics since 1983 and over the course of his career has worked on comic books as diverse as Transformers, Tekworld and Robocop.

SciFiPulse: Having read your brief biography it seems like you more or less fell into the world of comic book art via the introduction to John Higgins. Could you tell us a little more about how you got your start?

Lee Sullivan: In comics, really by accident. I was already an illustrator - four years at Further Education College on a vocational wildlife & technical illustration course; 5 years at British Aerospace as a graphic designer. When Doctor Who Weekly (as it was then) appeared, I thought - that’s the job for me! I was a big fan of Doctor Who on TV and comics since they started. I laboured mightily to produce two or three pages of samples but I didn’t have any real idea of showing them to anyone. They took me ages to do - scenes I transcribed from the first Who novel, Doctor Who and The Daleks.

Then I met David Lloyd who was producing backup strips (Abslom Daak was one of them) at the time at a Who convention and found out the timescales and rate of pay. It seemed impossible for me that I could ever work fast enough to earn a living.

So I thought ‘that’s not the job for me!’ and went freelance in 1983, working for the next five years as an illustrator in local advertising, during which time I met artist John Higgins in a local art store. He was assembling a team to help out on a music magazine comic strip he was producing called The BizNiz. I mentioned that I could do lettering and showed him the Who samples (which will never see the light of day).

My lettering wasn’t anywhere near good enough, but he liked the colour airbrushing on my advertising samples and so I coloured the line work that was being handled by Steve Yeowell. I think John was writing the strip - and was also probably doing the excellent colouring for the [Batman story] Killing Joke at the time; which has been replaced so disgracefully in the latest reprint.

The BizNiz was very short-lived, but John took me under his wing for a while and introduced me to the guys at Marvel UK. I did some colour covers for Ian Rimmer who was editing Transformers and about a year later I had learned enough from closely observing the methodology to ask for strip work from Simon Furman, who had taken over Transformers and was also the writer.

After a while working on Transformers, I asked for a Who strip from Richard Starkings who was Senior Editor of Marvel UK’s comic strips and a fellow Who-fan. He originally gave me a story that Dougie Braithwaite eventually drew, but that changed when he saw that I could draw likenesses in Transformers - specifically Richard Branson - and instead put me on to the ‘Planet of the Dead’ story. Written by John Freeman, it featured the shape-shifting creatures Gwanzulum posing as the first seven Doctors and dead companions.

That was considered a success, and I thereafter worked on occasional stories for DWM, particularly Dalek ones, which meant that by a very circuitous route I arrived where I wanted to be and ironically contributing to the Abslom Daak cycle.

SciFi Pulse: Have you always been influenced by comic books? If so, what comics would you say really triggered your imagination and spurred you on into the world of drawing them?

Lee Sullivan: I was heavily influenced when I was young by strips in TV Comic (Doctor Who by Neville Main) and everything in TV Century 21; lots of stuff in the Eagle of the 1960s; Countdown & TV Action in the 1970s, then found Marvel and DC books. My real heroes art-wise are the criminally overlooked Ron Turner and Keith Watson, when he was drawing Dan Dare. In those days there was no way of re-watching TV programs and very few published pictures from them either, and the strips based on them were a huge reinforcement of the programmes. In fact, they were almost more canonical than the programmes themselves, as you could re-read them. I still think of Davros as a re-working of Dalek history. Yarvelling and Zolfian - they’re the kiddies.

Because I always drew from the time I could hold a pencil, strips always seemed like the natural thing to do, though by the time I started ‘growing-up’ I had drifted away from the idea. But whenever I drew people, people would tend to mention that they looked like they belonged in a comic strip!

Sullivan's art for DC Comics TekWorld - which was based on William Shatners TekWar books.

SciFi Pulse: One of the many projects you worked on that caught my eye was William Shatners Tekworld - obviously based on his TekWar novels. How did all that come about - and what kind of brief were you given in order to create that world for Marvel Comics?

Lee Sullivan: Marvel/Epic, actually.

I drew RoboCop for Marvel US for a couple of years; when the licence ended, Evan Skolnik (whom I’d worked with on Robo) suggested me to Fabian Nicieza who was editor of TekWorld. It was still being set up, and for some reason the artist originally slated to work on it suddenly wasn’t. I made strenuous efforts to get the gig; I drew two full covers showing the lead character that was obviously based on Shatner. Modified, they became covers 1 & 2; I got the job.

The editorial team kept the timeframe of the novels - the first story was the first Tek novel ‘TekWar’ - with flying cars etc. I was pretty much given carte blanche to do whatever I wanted and - importantly for me - produce full line art for the book. I had found it difficult to provide pencils that anyone could ink well, and the results were much better.

As a big Trek & Kirk fan, it was thrilling to know that Shatner was vetting the stuff I was producing. Later on, when a TV movie was in production I got a call from him. I was out. Down the shops. I got an answer-phone message saying he’d ring back. I waited by the phone. For a week or so. I needed provisions. I went to the shops. He rang. He left another message. I was climbing the walls by then and rang him! He was very friendly and invited the team to visit the set. In Toronto, which of course, we did.

At his request we shifted the look of the comic to match the look of the TV series; closer to the present day and modified the characters to look more like the actors.

He was very kind and also surprisingly generous with his time - he was directing the movie. But there was a moment when I was sitting next to him in the back of a people-carrier (new to me at the time and strongly resembling a shuttlecraft) and he was taking the mick out of my accent, when I just caught his profile and voice and - Gawd I’m in a spaceship with Captain Kirk!

However, the TV series that followed failed to save the comic from the ‘night of the long knives’, which Marvel underwent in the mid-90s. A botched series of corporate decisions led to many titles and personnel being axed. TekWorld was one and all the editors I had schmoozed were axed too; and I was back to being a UK artist (though I never left Caddington - unbelievably, looking back, it was all done by FedEx!).

SciFi Pulse: Doctor Who is probably one of the many things you’re best known for in the UK - with you having done strips for Doctor Who Magazine - as well as for the Wwbsite and numerous other Doctor Who projects. Is there anything regarding Doctor Who from a visual perspective that you haven’t done yet - but would like too?

Lee Sullivan: Design stuff for the show. There’s a version of the TARDIS interior on my website which I submitted to the show’s crew, but it was really just to say ‘here I am if you need another perspective’ They said nice things. It didn’t lead to anything, but I’ve worked a bit for [visual effects designer] Mike Tucker, storyboarding for some effects sequences he was filming.

SciFi Pulse: While keeping on the subject of Doctor Who, of all the comic book writers for Doctor Who comics which you’ve worked with, who sparks your visual imagination the most? And what is it about their writing that appeals to you as an artist?

Lee Sullivan: Oh, writers - splendid chaps, all of them! An artist’s job is to realise as fully as possible the writer’s ideas. I’ve enjoyed working with all the writers - I’ve been lucky to work with writers with a wide range of styles. It’d be interesting to work with Paul Cornell again, but he’s too successful!

SciFi Pulse: This is somewhat of a technical question. As an artist what would you say are the dos and don’ts for aspiring comic book writers - as in, what can they do to help the artist and what should they avoid doing.

Lee Sullivan: A while back, I assembled a ‘writer/artist guide for comic-book work’ which is on my website; various luminaries thoughts plus some of my own.

I think one of my least favourite situations is when a writer asks for action and consequences to happen in the same frame; for example: first guy comes through door, second guy hits him and first guy crashes into table. You might get away with the last two actions combined, but you can’t really show them combined with the first. That’s another panel! Also to avoid ‘cross-talk,’ by which I mean first guy speaks, second guy replies, first guy speaks again. That really reduces the vertical space on any panel and can just as easily be carried through to the next panel.

SciFi Pulse: You’ve done a fair bit of work for UK comics such as the iconic 2000AD and strips such as Judge Dredd. Have you ever been approached by Marvel to work on any of their comics - and if you could, what characters from their massive back catalogue would you like to have a go at and what can you bring to them?

Lee Sullivan: I had a hankering to draw Iron Man; I think it would suit my strengths. I drew a lot of covers for Marvel UK reprints that covered almost every conceivable team and mainstream character, without the tedium of having to draw them every day.

SciFi Pulse: As you mentioned, one of the first Doctor Who strips you did featured all seven Doctors. Obviously we have ten now - but out of all of them which one would you say is the most interesting to draw - and what about them appeals?

Lee Sullivan: For some reason I enjoy Peter Davison’s Doctor from a drawing point of view and increasingly so as a character in the series. My real favourites to watch are Hartnell, Troughton and Pertwee.

SciFi Pulse: Who is your favourite Doctor and why? And, if you could both write and draw your own strip or storyboard an entire episode - without Daleks! - What sort of situation would you like to place him in?

Lee Sullivan: Oh, that’s easy - something like the E-space - no backgrounds! I have no desire to write. There aren’t many artists who are much good at writing too.

SciFi Pulse: What artists from the world of comics do you most admire and what is it about their work you enjoy?

Lee Sullivan: John Romita Jr is a fabulous artist. Economy of line with maximum dynamics. He was the last guy whose style I really analysed and tried to incorporate into my work. I try not to look at anybody else’s work these days as I always end up feeling inadequate or jealous or outraged. I don’t read comics - I just like drawing them. All my sources of inspiration are really from watching films and good TV.

SciFi Pulse: We have seen a fair few Television shows go direct to comic strips - but it isn’t as common now as it once was. As a kid I remember reading Look-In and enjoying strips of Logan’s Run, The Six Million Dollar Man and Space 1999. Out of the current crop of TV series on air now, which one would you say is rife for being given a comic book make over? And how well do you think it would translate?

Lee Sullivan: Is there a show that hasn’t??? Anything - any media - can be made into a good strip - it needs good writing; a good angle and suitable art.

Lee's Thunderbirds strip.

SciFi Pulse: What in your mind makes a good comic book adaptation of a popular movie or television show?

Lee Sullivan: Telling a good story whilst staying true to the tenets of the show. I once refused to have the Tracy boys use laser guns in the Thunderbirds strip I did - they didn’t have them on the show and you’re changing the rules if you do. If you do that, why not have a time machine in a Bond film? As far as I’m concerned you’re either doing the thing that’s on TV or you’re not.

Personally, I have no interest in the back-story of the characters in most shows - I just want to watch them do their thing. Of course, this puts me at odds with most TV shows these days - but if you look at my favourite series (currently) The Wire - it’s almost all great characters moving through a plot; with romances etc. only appearing occasionally as background. To me, that’s far more effective than an endless procession of love affairs.

Writers, I think, really love dealing with ‘feelings’, but to me it’s a cop-out. PLOT PLEASE! But modern soap-addled audiences love that stuff too; The Wire is not commercial hit so I am in error, it seems.

• Thanks to Lee for taking the time to talk to us. For more information about Lee and his work you can check out his website at www.leesullivan.co.uk

Lee Sullivan will be one of many guests who will be joining Paul Cornell and John Freeman at this weekends Doctor Who Comic Book Convention - which is being held at The Lass O’Gowrie In Manchester on 18 October 2008. If you have an interest in attending this event - and if they have any tickets left you can book via Quaytickets.com

By Ian M. Cullen

Doctor Who stars David Tennant and Catherine Tate are seemingly both up for the same award in the National Television Awards.

Tenth Doctor - Tennant and his campanion Donna Noble who was played by Tate are going to  go head to head for the new Outstanding Drama Performance category. The only other science fiction related series nominated in this category is Life On Mars spin - off series Ashes to Ashes - which is for Philip Glenister’s performance as Gene Hunt.

Doctor Who is also up for the Most Popular Drama prize - where it will face competition from Desperate Housewives - Shameless and The Bill.

The shortlist was drawn up following a viewer poll which saw over one million votes cast. Another vote will now determine the winners in each category.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on ITV1 on October 29.

By Ian M. Cullen

Despite their plans to do a darker and grittier reboot of the Superman Movie franchise - it appears that Warner have no intention of replacing the movies star Brendan Routh.

DC have informed the Latino Review - Paul Levitz president of DC told the website that both Warner and DC were happy with Routh to stay on. He went on to add that finding a fitting replacement would be a tough job - especially when you consider how long it took the last time.

“Last week Brandon Routh has come around the offices in New York and Los Angeles as of late to talk about Superman and what we want to do” Levitz tells the site. “Everyone is waiting for [Chris] Nolan to sign on for another Batman, once that happens, the release date for Superman and all other future projects will follow.”

The site predicts that the movie will get a 2012 release date.

By Ian M. Cullen

Marvels animated division has announced plans for a full-animated series based on their popular Avengers series. To date the only animated Avengers has been the two movies - which were based on the popular Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch Comic book series - The Ultimate Avengers.

The original Avengers line up comprises of Iron Man - Thor - The Hulk - Captain America and Ant Man. According to The Hollywood Reporter - this series will be titled The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and is already in production.

Film Roman - the company responsible for The Simpson’s has been tapped to produce the 26 episode series - which will be ready for broadcast sometime in 2011.

2011 also happens to be the same year that Marvel has in mind to release their avengers live action movies Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers.

Producing the TV series is Ciro Nieli, whose credits include Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go! and Teen Titans.

The Avengers is based on Marvels long running successful Comic book series of the same name - which was first introduced to readers in September of 1963.

By Ian M. Cullen

It seems that Torchwood will have a new member when the series returns next year for its abbreviated six-episode season.

Acting on information found in the recent edition of Torchwood Magazine - SyFy Portal reports that actress Lucy Cohu will be joining Captain Jack and the team.

Casting was recently confirmed for The Children Of Earth six part storyline - and Lucy Cohu was the most prominent new name on the call sheet. Cohu has appeared in numerous drama series in the UK - and has cut her acting teeth in series such as Casualty and The Bill to name a few of the things she has appeared in.

Cohu will play the role of Alice who is described as someone who has a mysterious past - and more than a few skeletons in the closet.

Bridget Spears is another new character who will very quickly be introduced to Torchwood and is described by series new producer Peter Bennett as “a character vitally connected to the government, which plays an important part in this story.” Actress Susan Brown has been cast in this role.

Cush Jumbo and Rik Makarem will both enter the Hub “whether they like it or not,” Bennett said. Jumbo will jump into the life of Lois Habiba, a hacker who comes across some highly dangerous and confidential information (Torchwood don’t leave that sort of information on a bus) and Makarem is Dr. Rupesh Patanjali who will find himself drawn into the investigations now that the secret branch is missing their own physician.

“We’re always proud to showcase new talent on screen,” Bennett said. “And both Rik and Cush have been filming with us already, and are delivering the most brilliant material. We’re all grateful to our casting director Andy Pryor for assembling so much great talent.”

Also joining the Hub for the six-episode short season arc are new characters Peter Capaldi, Paul Copely and Liz May Bryce. Each of these new characters will have a specific role to play in the shows six-episode story. Bryce sole purposes in the story is to expose Torchwood to the masses.

Filming Torchwood’s third season is currently underway in Cardiff South Wales.

By Ian M. Cullen

Over the years in both movies and literature we have had stories like Enid Blytons The Secret Seven and Movies such as The Magnificent Seven and The Seven Samurai - but never before have we had The Seven Doctors.

All that however could be about to change - because according to various news sources - which include both Outpost Gallifrey and Downthetubes the BBC is planning to unite the Seven surviving Doctors for a special Doctor Who episode made especially for the BBC Annual Children In Need Charity event.

According to the Telegraph Newspaper all seven Doctors will be getting together for this special event. Below are a few excerpts from the Telegraph article.

“The actors are getting together for the BBC charity Children in Need in a programme to be broadcast on November 14.

“An insider at the BBC said: ‘It’s a pretty ambitious idea and it’s still being finalised. Everything is being kept under wraps but Doctor Who fans are in for a big treat.

“The first of the 10 actors to take the role was William Hartnell in 1963, followed three years later by Patrick Troughton and then by Jon Pertwee but all three have since died. The seven survivors include Tom Baker, now best known as the voice of the comedy series Little Britain, who played the role for seven years from 1974. He was followed by Peter Davidson (sic) from 1981 to 1984, whose daughter Georgia Moffett has also featured in the programme and who is now dating the current doctor, David Tennant.
“The others are Colin Baker, from 1984 to 1986, Sylvester McCoy who had two stints from 1987 to 1989 and re-appeared in the role in 1996, Paul McGann, who took over the role in 1996 and Christopher Eccleston who reprised the series in 2005.”

SciFi Pulse is unable to confirm any further details about this event - so for now please treat it as you would any other rumour.

By Ian M. Cullen

Episode four of Merlin pretty much picks up where episode three left off. Nimueh is still seething from her defeat by Merlin and is out for blood.

The perfect opportunity presents its self to Nimueh when Uther has the Knights of a rival kingdom round for drinks to celebrate a peace treaty between Camelot and them. Seizing the opportunity Nimueh played again by Michelle Ryan sneaks into Camelot disguised as a chambermaid attached the group of visiting dignitaries and befriends Merlin and flirts a little with him - which makes for one of the episodes funnier moments.

Later on during the epic meeting between Uther and the rival king and his knights - Nimueh pulls Merlin aside and warns that the rival king has poisoned the chalice, which Arthur is about to drink from. Doing what he thinks is the right thing Merlin stops Arthur from drinking from the chalice and openly accuses the rival king of trying to poison the prince of Camelot - little knowing that he has just fell right into Nimueh’s trap. In order to prove that the Chalice is poisoned King Uther insists that Merlin drink from it - Merlin agrees and downs the contents and falls very ill.

Nimueh having done her wicked deed rides off to her cave leaving Gaius to investigate the poison in the chalice which turns out to be very rare - and can only be found in a certain cave on the outskirts of Camelot.

Feeling a sense of friendship and obligation to Merlin - Arthur sets out to find a flower from which the poison is made from. Uther objects to Arthur wanting to help saying that Merlin is just a servant and as such he is not worth the effort. Arthur who had grown to grudgingly respect and even like Merlin vehemently disagrees and after a brief chat with Morgana opts to help Merlin and rides off against his father’s orders.

At this point the episode is high action drama as Arthur meets Nimueh who is pretending to be in distress - and fights off a giant CGI Lizard type monster which resembles some kind of dinosaur which possibly has more botox running through its vains than Dannii Minogue - which is something even I never thought possible.

To express her undying gratitude Nimueh agrees to help Arthur find the flower and guides him into a cave - then shows her true colours by casting a wicked spell on the ledge that Arthur is using in order to get to the opposite side of the cave. Taken by surprise Arthur leaps rather dramatically to the other side of the cave and eventually gets the flower needed to make the antidote - but only after Nimueh has done her best to have him killed by some giant spiders.

Upon his return to Camelot there is no heroic welcome for Arthur. It’s quite the opposite in fact. King Uther who is proper ticked off at his son for going against his wishes has his son arrested at the gates of the palace. What follows is perhaps one of the better scenes of the episode where Uther tells Arthur that he should never put himself at risk like that - with him being his only true air - and tries to make his son see the bigger picture.

Due to his incarceration in Camelot’s Jail - Gwen sneaks into the jail posing as a food server and retrieves the flower from Arthur and takes it to Gaius.

Gaius tells Gwen that he is not sure if the antidote would work - given that Nimueh used a little magic in making the poison so that it would work quicker. Gwen says that it would be wrong to use magic due to Camelot’s laws. Gaius then sends her off on the pretence of getting some fresh water and proceeds to cast a spell on his antidote while she is out the room.

In the end the spell and potion works and all is well once more.

For me this episode belonged to Bradley James who truly shined as Arthur. His action scene when fighting the beastie and his struggle with Nimueh was convincing - and proves that it is hard to be the hero. Michelle Ryan as Nimueh however dropped the ball a little for me in this episode - I wasn’t at all convinced by her damsel in distress act - which she used to lure Arthur into the cave.

Angel Coulby also shined somewhat in this episode and had some wonderful scenes alongside Richard Wilson as Gaius. But the episodes two stand out performances this week go to Bradley James and Anthony Head.

One this is for sure though. Nimueh will very much be a recurring feature in this series. Thankfully we didn’t have any Dragon this week - and the episode was all the better for it.

Score 8/10

By Ian M. Cullen

As many will no doubt be aware season 8 of Smallville has only recently kicked off in the USA - and UK viewers will have just recently finished viewing the seventh season of the series on E4.

The recent issue of SciFi Now boasts an impressive interview with the new writer producers of Smallville - in which Todd Slavkin - Darren Swimmer - Brian Peterson and Kelly Sounders reveal what lays in wait for Clark Kent and the gang.

Please be aware that the following excerpts may contain mild spoilers. So if you are a viewer who doesn’t enjoy knowing about plot developments in advance - it will probably be wise to stop reading at this point.

Inevitably season eight - which is potentially the final season of Smallville will see Clark move closer to his eventual destiny - and Todd Slavkin reveals that we will see Clarke actually come to terms with his purpose when the eighth season kicks off.

“One criticism of Clark Kent is that he’s always been reactive in our show. His decision to go to The Daily Planet is his way of saying, “I’ve got to use my powers to help people.” He’s going out there looking for places he can help. I think the fans; Superman fans will be delighted with that. It shows him embracing, in a sense, what Green Arrow was trying to make him realise.”

Darren Swimmer adds that the relationship with Green Arrow and Clark is going to take an interesting turn in the new season.

“While Clark, in season eight, is really accepting his destiny more, the Green Arrow’s going to start questioning what his destiny really is and what kind of superhero he really wants to be. There’s going to be that interesting dynamic going on there…”

One thing that’s never been touched on in Smallville is the double identity - because for most part the series has been about Clark Kent - Superman hasn’t really been born yet. This however is going to be addressed a little bit in the eighth season - Brian Peterson explains.

“Up until this point, we haven’t done a lot with Clark trying to balance the double identity of Clark Kent and this Superman figure, so this year is very much about double identity and him learning the balance of that because that’s a long journey in itself that we haven’t even touched on, really, until now.”

Kelly Sounders adds: “It’s actually his main thrust this season. Saving people in Smallville was one thing, where he kind of had to run to the factory to save Chloe or the roads weren’t very crowded, but being alive in Metropolis as Superman is a very different experience and he will find very quickly in the season that it’s not so easy when your running through crowded streets or you’re having to run into a crowded crisis situation.”

Added to all this Brian Peterson reveals that Clark will be working alongside Lois Lane at the Daily Planet this year - which was inevitable given that is what was always destined to happen. I doubt however that we will see the Red White and Yellow suit ever on Smallville - given that Clarke has never really wore the horn rimmed glasses that he dons in the comic book to hide his identity.

You can read much more of this interview - which also touches on changes for Chloe in season eight - as well as the reappearance of Lana Lang in the current issue of SciFi Now - which is available at all good news agencies.

By Ian M. Cullen

ABC in America are developing a new version of V - the popular mini series from 1983 - which saw the earth invaded by Lizard Aliens - who hatched a plot to harvest human beings for food and to steal the earths water supply.

Unfortunately this new V Mini series will have absolutely no input from series creator Kenneth Johnson who we interviewed back in May. Which is something that will bitterly disappoint many of the original series fans.

In fact ABC are totally reworking the story. According to Variety the new show will centre on Erica Evans, a Homeland Security agent with an aimless son who’s got problems. When the aliens arrive, her son gloms on to them, causing tension within the family. As in the original V, several storylines will unfold simultaneously.

So gone are the classic characters of Mike Donovan and Juliet Paris - and seemingly there is no resistance movement mentioned in ABC’s plot breakdown.

For some time Warner Bros have been trying to do a remake - but have been largely unhappy with Ken Johnson’s idea for a continuation of the original series - which would have excluded their messed up second Final Battle Mini series.

In fact since Warner rejected his story idea - Ken Johnson has been trying to put together a package so he can release a V Movie in the worlds Cinema - so hopefully this new series by ABC hasn’t thrown a spanner in the works for that.

As in the ’80s version, the show will open with an enormous army of spaceships hovering over the world’s major cities.

The original series as many fans well know was a retelling of the holocaust - and how the Nazis subjugated and murdered millions of Jews in their misguided attempts to create a master race. Johnson’s version of the series was much loved by fans because it tapped used very real and believable characters and served as a reminder of how power can corrupt.

By Ian M. Cullen

This week sees the American premiere of their remake of classic Brit - Fi drama series Life On Mars. For those who have been following developments on this story - you will be well aware that the US version of this show has had its fair share of difficulties over the last few months.

The series pilot episode had to be completely re-shot due to the original not working out - but the series also seen a complete overhaul both behind and in front of the cameras. The original pilot was set in Los Angeles - but now the action takes place in 70s New York.

In a new report at SyFy Portal series Star Jason O’Mara who plays the role of Sam Tyler in the show revealed that once the pilot - which aired last night is out of the way - the American version will deviate from the storyline presented in the original BBC Version.

“I think once you see the episodes roll out, the pilot is definitely the one episode that we had to stick close to the story of the BBC version because it sets up the story,” said Jason O’Mara, the new Sam Tyler in the ABC series. “But once episodes 2, 3 and 4 come along, even though there are elements there form the original, it starts to go in a different direction.”

Life On Mars centres on modern day New York Detective Sam Tyler. Who when hit by a car finds himself stuck in 1973 New York - where he is paired up with the ruthless often bigoted and politically incorrect Gene Hunt - who is played by Harvey Keitel.

By Ian M. Cullen

Fans of Superman are in for a real treat in the not too distant future - because Warner Premiere and Warner Brothers Digital Distribution are in the developmental stages of a special motion comic. This new motion comic will be based on the short form story Superman: Red Son and Batman: Black & White.

According to a report at SciFi Wire Warner hope these new motion comics will bring a more visually engaging lease of life to the popular DC Comics character. The comics present the popular DC Character with the added enhancement of subtle movements - voice overs and enhanced musical scores specially written for these comics.

The Superman: Red Son comic will work in much the same way as the recent Alan Moore Comic Watchmen - which is now available for readers to flip through on iTunes - Playstation Store - Amazon Video on Demand and Xbox Live. The first and second chaptors are all that is available at present - but the rest will eventually follow.

Batman: Black and White is taken from three classic short stories that feature the Caped Crusader. The motion comic version aims to reflect the stories as told by the original writers and artists.

Superman: Red Son is based on the Eisner Award Winning story written by Mark Millar and drawn by Dave Johnson. The story centres on an alternate universe where Superman’s pod landed in mother Russia - and becomes the former Soviet Unions greatest weapon as the world is transformed into one huge communist state.